Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

27

"I'll call her."

Iniwan ko kaagad si Marco sa sala para puntahan si Aqeila. It was Jericho who went to help us from our stranded state.

"Kie, amore, Momma's home." I knocked on the door before going inside. As usual, like what happens when I'm home late, she was surrounded with pillows and hugging one close to her chest.

"Late, Ma." It was her usual line.

I bit my lower lip as I walked towards her. "I know. I'm sorry. Something happened on the road. I'm sorry..." I kissed her on the cheek. "But your dada's downstairs..."

"Really, Ma?" Ang bilis niyang lumingon sa akin. Lumuhod kaagad siya sa kama para maabot ako, getting excited.

"Really..." I let out a small laugh and poked her nose. "Let's go?"

"Can you arrange my hair first, Momma? I want Papa to like me!" she said with a cute smile.

"He already loves you so much, Qeila." I caressed her cheeks. She nodded. She trusts me and believes in my words. Inayos ko pa rin ang buhok niya para mapanatag siya.

Akala ko maglalakad siya pero nagpabuhat siya sa akin at sumiksik sa leeg ko. I don't know why she was giggling! I slowly walked down the stairs, holding on the railing. Magaan si Kie pero nahihirapan ako dahil iyong kabilang braso ko, hindi ko pa rin masyadong magamit.

"Down na, Kie." Binaba ko siya kaagad nang nakarating sa pinakababa na step.

Marco was leaning his head on the backrest of the sofa, staring at the ceiling. Hindi niya 'ata narinig ang pagbaba namin dahil dahil mukhang ang lalim ng iniisip niya pero wala akong balak alamin ang iniisip ng siraulong 'to.

I looked at Kie when she tugged my hand, smiling widely while jumping a little. Bigla siyang bumitaw sa akin at naglakad papunta kay Marco. She tapped his lap, which made him open his eyes.

"Hello, Dada!" Kie waved at Marco.

"Hello..." Mahinang tumawa si Marco. His eyes were filled with a mixture of amusement confusion, like he couldn't believe they were upclose. "Wow... Hello, my little girl."

I honestly do not understand how he seem to still be in shock when they literally had a long talk in the hospital. Ngayon pa lang ba nag-sink in sa kaniya?

"Hello!" bati ulit ni Kie kaya hindi ko napigilan matawa. Nagpapacute ba 'to sa tatay niya? "I'm Venice Aqeila but you can call me Ven... Kie... Nini..." she slowly introduced herself with the introduction I taught her. "Nice to meet you again!"

"Wow, that's a lot of names, huh? It's really nice to meet you..." Marco said softly and offered his hands to Kie. "Can I carry you?" Sumama kaagad si Kie sa kaniya.

"Are you not... busy... anymore?" Kie's voice suddenly went low. "You have time for... Kie now?"

Marco arranged her on his lap and hugged her a little... until he hugged her completely. "I'm sorry. I'm not busy anymore..." he said, closing his eyes.

"You will... not leave Kie... again?" She hugged him. Pakiramdam ko ngayon palang niya nararamdaman na totoo na 'to dahil nagiging emotional na siya.

I had to look away and scrunch my nose.

"Lali, I'm-" Natigilan si Dad sa paglabas ng elevator at unang nasaksihan ay ang pagyayakap ng mag-ama sa sofa.

"Good evening," mahinang bati ko.

"Good evening." Dad cleared his throat.

"Good evening po, Sir." Marco stood up, suddenly formal.

"Nonno!" Kie squealed and forces herself to go down before running to her grandpa. Dad laughed heartily and carried her.